Travel agents await Rugby Union move

Press, 15 July 1985, Page 4

Travel agents await Rugby Union move

PA Auckland Travel agents and All Black tour rugby supporters were yesterday anxiously awaiting a decision by the New Zealand Rugby Union as to whether it would appeal against the interim injunction issued at the week-end. One travel agent said: “It is total confusion. We are in a totally unique, unreal, unprecedented situation.” For between 1100 and 1200 supporters, who have invested about $7 million in tours, the decision could cost them hundreds of dollars each in lost deposits. Mr Colin Clark, of Lion International Tours, said he was “a bit in limbo” until we knew if the tour would

proceed. Any refunds for cancellation would be from South Africa, and if good sense prevailed everyone would get substantial refunds with minimum cancellation fees. “Administration and nonrecoverable costs (such as advertising and marketing) would have to go,” said Mr Clark.

Air fares would probably be refunded in full, given the legitimate reason for the cancellation, but hotels could demand a 25 per cent cancellation fee. Refunds of hotel deposits and those to sports events would depend on the good will of the South African businessmen concerned, he said. Mr Bob Howitt, a director

of Rugby Tours, said he, too, was awaiting developments from the Rugby Union in Wellington. No decisions would be made for at least a week. “There will be no firm decisions until we know whether there is going to be a tour,” said Mr Howitt, “But we hope things clarify themselves in the next 48 hours.” Rugby Tours, he said, was optimistic it could salvage some form of a tour for its customers, but had no contingency plans. Mr Howitt said his company had given all its supporters an assurance that they would lose no more than their $5OO deposit in the event of the tour’s not proceeding.